Cough aerosol sampling from people with cystic fibrosis v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study characterising the aerosolisation of microbial particles from people with cystic fibrosis and determining if Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium abscessus are present in patient cough/exhaled breath aerosols in the inpatient setting.
IRAS ID
229122
Contact name
Jessica Proctor
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will be an investigation on the cough/exhaled breath aerosols of adults with cystic fibrosis at the inpatient cystic fibrosis ward at St. James's University Hospital. Participants involved in this study will be diagnosed with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/or Mycobacterium abscessus. Both pathogens have been associated with cross-infection and increased morbidity and mortality. Hence, a better understanding of aerosol characteristics in the hospital setting is important to help develop infection control strategies. This will be done by sampling cough/ exhaled breath aerosols in a modified CASS (cough aerosols sampling system) drum where droplet size distributions and presence of P. aeruginosa and M. abscessus can be determined. Participants will wear a modified face mask containing a disc of capture material to again detect presence and a sample of sputum will be taken to compare to exhaled aerosols. Samples from the patients will be taken on up to two sessions. Data loggers will record the temperature, humidity and C02 levels within the participant’s room throughout sampling days and room dimensions will be taken. We hypothesise time and treatments may affect aerosol characteristics and the ability for P. aeruginosa and M. abscessus to be present in cough/exhaled breath aerosols. Therefore, some participants will have samples taken before and after medication and at the start and end of their hospital stay. This cohort study will potentially provide evidence of presence of these bacteria in cough aerosols which would support the need for enhanced airborne infection control processes which has specific benefit to both the patients and healthcare provider.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0654
Date of REC Opinion
18 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion